SPRINGFIELD - Downstate lawmakers unleashed a chorus of boos Thursday after hearing the state may be in the market to buy Wrigley Field from the Tribune Co.

"It's just absurd," said state Rep. Bill Mitchell, a Forsyth Republican.

"That would be a story that belongs in the Sunday comics," added state Rep. Dale Righter, R-Mattoon.

Published reports say Tribune executives, who are trying to sell the Chicago Cubs, have discussed the possible sale of the iconic ballpark with Gov. Rod Blagojevich, a passionate Cubs fan.

Under one scenario, the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority would buy the 93-year-old facility. The authority was created by the state in the 1980s to oversee the construction of what is now U.S. Cellular Field, home to the Chicago White Sox. It is funded by hotel taxes.

Lawmakers say the state has too many other immediate problems to even begin talking about buying the facility.

For example, cities and towns across the state are facing financial problems because the state is more than $1.8 billion behind in paying out sales tax revenues to municipalities.

"It just floored me that we'd even consider it," said state Sen. John Jones, R-Mount Vernon. "I tell people around here that common sense isn't common in Springfield."

"To think about the state buying a baseball park is almost unbelievable except when you pause to consider who is actually considering it," said Righter.

"With all that Blagojevich has got going on, you'd think he'd be focusing on the mass transit problems facing Chicago, not buying a ballpark," said state Sen. Bill Brady, R-Bloomington.

"No one is talking about solving the state's real long-term debt problems," said state Sen. Dave Luechtefeld, R-Okawville. "This is getting to be ridiculous."

"I guess we know where the governor's priorities lie," Mitchell said.

In Southern Illinois, Blagojevich did funnel $3 million in state funds toward the construction of a minor league baseball park in Marion.

But, state Rep. Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro, said there is no comparison between that project and buying a ballpark in Chicago that could sell for hundreds of millions of dollars.

"You'd think nothing would shock me after what's gone on this year, but I am in shock," Bost said.

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